How Much Is a Red Light Ticket in Each State?

Red light cameras are used to help prevent red light-related traffic fatalities by taking pictures of drivers who run red lights. These devices have provided a 21% dip in deaths since enforcement of the law. The fine and how the ticket affects drivers varies depending on the state in which they are caught. Some states have made the use of red light cameras illegal. However, law enforcement officers in these states can still issue tickets to those who are caught running red lights. And there are states that treat red light camera tickets the same as parking tickets, holding the owner of the vehicle responsible for the citation regardless of who was behind the wheel. If you do get a red light ticket, you can argue the ticket either in person or by mail. You can also get a lawyer to represent you, though it is not necessary.

If you have recently received a red light ticket, keep reading to see how these cameras work and what actions you can take if you receive a citation.

On This Page

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  How Does a Red Light Camera Work?

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  How Much Is a Red Light Camera in Each State?

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  What Is the Purpose of Red Light Cameras?

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  What Should You Do if You Get a Red Light Camera Ticket?

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  Do You Need a Lawyer For a Red Light Ticket?

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  Red Light Ticket FAQs

How Does a Red Light Camera Work?

Red light cameras are connected to the traffic light and then connected to sensors that watch traffic at a crosswalk. They will then take pictures of drivers who pass through a red light instead of stopping. Images that are captured by the red light camera are then processed and evaluated by law enforcement or authorized employees to see if the vehicle in question is in violation and to verify vehicle information. A ticket is then issued to the address associated with the vehicle and only if there is clear evidence that the driver ran a red light.

Many states view running a red light camera as a civil offense instead of a moving violation. While some states will add points or a point to your drivers licence, often, there aren’t any insurance implications or drivers license points added. Some states even prohibit providers from taking red light camera citations into consideration when calculating rates for their customers as well as the possibility of renewal.

Lawyers understand how the legal process works, what documentation is necessary, and they can appear in court on your behalf.

The Ticket Is Triggered by Sensors

There are three components involved in making a red light camera work: the traffic light, the camera and the pavement sensors. These red light cameras are focused on traffic coming from a single direction that uses sensors known as “loop” or "in-road" sensors. They gauge how fast a vehicle is moving as it approaches an intersection. Should these sensors and the cameras estimate you’re moving too quickly to stop, the camera will snap a picture and/or video of your vehicle. Typically the images you receive in the mail with your ticket are of the front and rear of your car and they may show your face.

Third Parties Run Most Red Light Cameras

Many red light cameras are controlled and operated by third-party companies.

You Have the Ability To Have the Ticket Dismissed

You can challenge a red light camera ticket if you feel you received one unfairly. You can challenge the ticket on your own or you can choose to use a lawyer. In many ways, hiring a lawyer is a smart idea because they understand the legal process better than you do. If you can prove any of the following situations to be true, you could possibly have the ticket dismissed:

• You passed through a red light camera to avoid an emergency vehicle
• You passed through a red light camera to avoid an accident
• The red light camera wasn’t functioning properly
• You were not the one behind the wheel when the picture was taken

While some states will add points or a point to your drivers license, often, there aren’t any insurance implications or drivers license points added.

You can also contest a ticket by mail, usually by filling out the information on the back of the citation you received in the mail. Make sure to attach any pertinent documentation. You will also have to state who the driver of the vehicle was if it wasn’t you.

How Much Is a Red Light Camera in Each State?

Below is a table showing the cost of a red light camera ticket and a red light ticket issued by a police officer in each state (including the District of Columbia).

The information for this table was gathered from data collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Driving Laws by NOLO

What Is the Purpose of Red Light Cameras?

Red light cameras are designed to decrease risky behavior and traffic fatalities associated with running red lights. Implementing these devices has been shown to reduce red light traffic fatalities by 21% in large cities and other traffic signal-related deaths by 14%.

Red light cameras will take pictures of drivers who pass through a red light instead of stopping.

What Should You Do if You Get a Red Light Camera Ticket?

You have a few options if you get a red light camera ticket, which include:

• Pleading guilty - You’ll be required to pay any fines and possibly receive points on your license as well as adjustments to your insurance.
• Pleading not guilty - You will be required to appear in court or mail in pertinent documentation. You can also choose legal representation to help win your case.
• Making a request to attend traffic school - You will still be required to pay any associated fines as well as the cost of traffic school. However, points will most likely not be added to your license.

Regardless of what you choose, do not ignore the ticket. Doing so could result in additional fines, you may not be able to register your vehicle and the court may issue a warrant for your arrest.

What if You Accidentally Received a Red Light Camera Ticket?

If you accidentally receive a red light ticket, you have the option to contest. This means you will provide the court with any documentation that may prove that you did violate a law. This could be with a sworn statement from the driver of the vehicle, stating you were not behind the wheel when the violation occurred. You can also inform the court that you may have had to cross through a red light camera in order to make room for an emergency response vehicle or to avoid an accident.

You can challenge a red light camera ticket if you feel you received one unfairly.

Make an appointment, take whatever documentation you have and head to the proper courthouse. You can then present your case to a judge. You can also get legal representation to help with the proceedings. If you don’t want to go in person, you can send in your documentation and information through mail, usually by filling out the information located on the back of your citation.

Do You Need a Lawyer For a Red Light Ticket?

You don’t need a lawyer for a red light ticket. You can go through the legal process on your own if you decide to contest the citation. However, having a lawyer can take much of the burden off of your shoulders because lawyers understand how the legal process works, they understand the language, what documentation is necessary and they can appear in court on your behalf.

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